“Golden” Ratio for Maximizing Effectiveness

K-12 STEAM education

Long Beach

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Rising TIDE seeks to meet the need of young people for a safe, welcoming, caring, upbuilding environment that helps them develop and excel in school and life.
There is a need for safety when the streets of our neighborhood have a growing population of unhoused people who have succumbed to mental illness and drug addiction.
There is a need for a welcoming place when for many there is no one at home after school.
There is a need for a caring community when families have often failed to stay together or parents have to work two jobs to make ends meet.
There is a need for upbuilding when many students feel discouraged by the negativity to which they are subject.
In all of this, we are supplementing the efforts of families and schools in meeting their young people’s needs for healthy physical activity, good nutrition, outlets for artistic creativity, ongoing education, development of practical life skills, and the nurturing of supportive life-long relationships.

Rising TIDE is working to improve the health, education and development of vulnerable students through our “golden” 1:3 staff/volunteer-to-student ratio. When we maintain this ratio, we see more cooperative, peaceful interactions among our students, more harmony among staff/volunteers and subsequently greater academic progress and personal development. We are guided by six pillars (Guided Learning, STEM, Life Skills, Health & Wellness, The Arts and Specialized Programming) that anchor our adaptations to the ever-changing needs of young people. They represent a balanced perspective to nurture academic success, healthy relationships, creative endeavors and personal development through mentorship, educational resources, nutrition and recreation. Our mentor program has blossomed since COVID with 30 mentor/mentee matches currently!
We currently serve over 190 students from 52 schools through life skills development by teaching young people to manage their time effectively to balance academics and home life, manage their money and care for their physical health by prioritizing sleep, nutrition and exercise.
Rising TIDE offers transportation, healthy food, one-on-one tutoring, daily homework help, networking, technological support, academic support, general work preparedness, specialized clubs, and weekly growth opportunities for middle and high school students (including groups like G.L.O.W, a girls empowerment program, and Boys2Men, a boys empowerment program).

Strong, long-term relationships with young people and their families are fundamental to our success. Our consistent support helps students thrive, strengthens families, and cultivates essential life skills, ultimately benefiting Los Angeles County.
Short-term, we envision students growing their academic skills, personal relationships, work ethic, and drive to reach their goals. Long-term, we see them engaging in meaningful careers after trade school or academic institution learning.
Rather than limiting enrollment, we seek ways to meet the 1:3 ratio. Our expansion plan focuses on increasing our volunteer pool and adjusting our budget. If needed, we would scale back by limiting enrollment.
The more young people engage in activities they enjoy and feel the confidence to follow their dreams, the odds of their being unhoused or in jail lower. We have the privilege of seeing the first generations of Rising TIDE alumni gainfully employed and seeking ways to give back to the community.